Related Stories

Deputy Premier Paul Robichaud’s latest explanation for why Premier David Alward appointed Margaret-Ann Blaney as president of Efficiency New Brunswick runs contrary to previous public statements by a senior Progressive Conservative cabinet minister.

Alward and his cabinet ministers have had a tough time explaining the appointment of Blaney to the high-paying job at the Crown corporation.

Last week, Robichaud told reporters that Alward had a responsibility to fill the position of president of Efficiency NB, which was previously held by former NDP Leader Elizabeth Weir.

Deputy Premier Paul Robichaud said last week that Blaney replaced a civil servant who was in the job temporarily. (CBC)

"We had the responsibility as a government to fulfill, or to replace Madame Weir to that position," Robichaud said.

But on April 20, a month before the controversial appointment, Environment Minister Bruce Fitch claimed the provincial government had no such responsibility to fill the job.

In fact, Fitch bragged about how the provincial government was reducing costs at the Crown corporation by getting rid of Weir's old job.

"Former MLA Elizabeth Weir was the president or deputy minister of Efficiency New Brunswick. That position has been eliminated," Fitch said.

Fitch also told the legislature how Denis Caron, the deputy minister of environment and local government, would be adding the task of Efficiency NB to his duties.

Environment Minister Bruce Fitch told the legislature in April the government was saving $200,000 by giving the job of president of Efficiency NB to a civil servant. (CBC)

"Now one person, Mr. Caron, is filling three different functions," Fitch said.

Fitch said eliminating Weir's job would save taxpayers a significant amount of money, which has been an ongoing theme for the Alward government, which is trying to reduce its deficit.

"That position has been eliminated. With the benefits and everything associated with that, it is about $200,000," Fitch said.

Byelection controversy

The Progressive Conservative government’s handling of the Blaney appointment comes as the party is trying to hold onto Blaney’s old seat in Rothesay.